Posts Tagged ‘divide’

February can be a mixed bag, as far as weather goes. In the south east, the daffs are just starting to bloom, an early Camellia is in full bloom and the birds are starting to reward us with some singing in appreciation for their winter feeding. And now, down to business!

Investigate making your own garden compost if you don’t do so already. With a bit of seaweed added it is the best feed, organic or otherwise, you can give your plants and its free.

Check all the stakes and straps on all your young trees. Adjust the straps to avoid damaging bark. Ensure that the top of the stake is not damaging the tree bark.

If rabbits and cats are scratching the barks of young trees, slit a 300mm length piece of 75mm diameter, drainage pipe and secure on to base of tree. This will also help to prevent strimmer damage.

In mild areas, the weeds are starting to peep up their little invasive, prolific heads. Out the hoe and show them who’s boss. Catch them before they flower and it will save alot of work later in the year.

All fruit trees could do with some sulphate of potash now (1/2 oz to sq. yd) This will help them produce fruit. If the trees are weak, a feed of pelletted chicken manure will help. Avoid over doing this. You do not want a lot of leaves and no fruit!

Make a trench outdoors for sowing some beans. The runner beans look fantastic and can be used as a summer screen for a patio area. (Apart from their great protein value) Dig a good trench, approx 18″ deep. Put in a good layer of dung or compost from your compost bin, even if it has not rotted. Cover this with some top soil mixed with Peat. Build up a little over ground level to allow for settlement. Get the Runner Beans started indoors in root trainers or deep, small pots. Wait until May before transplanting them outdoors. Harden off for a week or two before putting them outdoors. Sweetcorn are also great for a summer patio screen. Preparation must be well done though.

Remove last years veg roots if not already done. Use them in your new compost heap.

If you have never grown an edible crop before, choose one and grow it this year. Onions are easy. start small, try not to get carried away. Pea & bean family are interesting for children. It may just do the trick in getting them to eat THEIR greens also.

Garden tip: If at first you dont succeed, dont get disheartened. Its like riding a bike, a few wobbles and falls, grazed knees, grazed egos and all of a sudden you are sailing.